Dean Balsover

Dean Balsover, 77, Independence, MO passed away May 14, 2008 in Kansas City after a courageous bout with cancer. A memorial service will be held at 11 am, Sat., May 17, 2008 at the Stone Church with visitation beginning one hour prior to service time. A private committal service will take place at Mound Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the American Cancer Society.
Dean was born Nov. 30, 1930 in Springerton, IL and was the fourth child of Granville E. and Wreatha Irene (Cochran) Balsover. He has lived in the Independence area since 1958. He was a member of the Stone Church congregation of the Community of Christ church, having been called to the office of priest. Dean was active in AA and served as a sponsor to many young men with numerous rewarding responses that turned those lives around to become more responsible, productive individuals to their families and their communities. He and Jimmie Carpenter have been co-leaders of a cancer support group at Stone Church as long as his health permitted.
Dean retired from Ford Motor Company in 1996 after thirty-eight years of service. He was a Graduate of Graceland College and Northwest Missouri State University and began his career teaching.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Granville Jr., who died at age 2 ½ ; brother Curtis Ray, who died at age seventeen in a truck accident; sister Joy who died in 1998 at age 58 of leukemia. Family members who survive him are older brother Don L. Balsover, Milwaukee, WI; older sister Betty L. Parrish, Overland Park, KS; five nephews; two nieces eight grandnephews; two grandnieces; four great-grandnephews; and a special friend and companion, Jimmie Carpenter. He has many friends and touched many lives for their betterment. The family and friends will miss him dearly.